Container and method of interconnecting and transporting multiple containers

ABSTRACT

A container is disclosed that is adapted to interconnect with like containers. The container has a connecting device disposed on a side wall. The connecting device is adapted to removably connect with a portion of an adjacent container. Once connected, one of the containers can be pulled which in turn pulls the other container along.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisionalapplication Serial No. 60/389,616, filed Jun. 18, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to trash containers,receptacles, and the like, and more particularly to such a containeradapted to interconnect with like containers and to a method ofinterconnecting and transporting multiple containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Certain types of trash containers are known to be relativelylarge in size in order to hold several loads of trash transferred fromsmaller household receptacles. Such containers are typically suited foroutdoor use, as the containers are often stored outside and are leftnear a street for trash pick up. These containers, when fully loaded,can be quite heavy and cumbersome to move from a storage location to astreet or pick up location.

[0004] Various methods and constructions have been devised to reduce theweight and to ease transportability of such containers. Many of thesetrash containers are now made from plastic materials utilizing asuitable molding process. Plastic containers are relatively light weightwhen compared to older steel trash cans. However, when fully loaded, theplastic containers can still be difficult to transport from one locationto another. The containers must either be lifted or dragged betweenlocations.

[0005] A number of trash containers are now available with wheels on oneedge of their bottom surface to permit the containers to be pulled fromone location to another. Transporting such a container is relativelyeasy. The container is simply tipped to one side to rest only on thewheels and then pulled by a handle and rolled on the wheels. Such acontainer can also be pushed in this manner. However, it can be awkwardto push and properly steer a fully loaded container of this type frombehind.

[0006] Many users try to save time and energy by moving two containersof this type at the same time between locations. This can be difficultbecause, in order for each container to roll properly, one must bepushed from behind and one must be pulled along at the same time. A usertypically has a difficult time steering the forward or pushed containerand pulling the rear container in the same time. This is particularlytrue where the containers are being moved over an irregular surface. Itcan be difficult to maintain control over both containers when thewheels of the front container encounter a bump. The containers can tipover or veere out of control easily. Further, it is nearly impossible tomove more than two of these wheeled containers at the same time becauseall of the containers cannot be moved along the same travel path. Thus,all of the sets of wheels cannot roll in a straight path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following description in conjunctionwith the drawing figures, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of two trashcontainers constructed and interconnected in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the containers shown in FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a front view of one of the containers shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of thecontainer taken from Circle IV in FIG. 1 and with a portion of theinterconnecting device removed.

[0012]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a wire hook portion ofthe interconnecting device shown removed from the container shown inFIG. 3.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a side view of three interconnected trash containers asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the trash containers shownin FIGS. 2 and 3 with a smaller trash bag hanging from theinterconnecting device.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of another example of atrash container constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a side view of another example of a wire hook portion ofan interconnecting device shown prior to its installation on acontainer.

[0017]FIG. 10 is a front view of the wire hook portion shown in FIG. 9.

[0018]FIG. 11 is a top view of the wire hook portion shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present disclosure is for containers and methods that solveor improve upon one or more of the above-noted problems. A container isdisclosed that is adapted to interconnect with one or more additionalcontainers so that the interconnected containers can be pulled or pushedin a train or chain. The disclosed container constructions and methodspermit more than two of such containers to be moved at the same time.The disclosed containers and methods also permit all of theinterconnected containers to either be pushed or pulled together in thesame direction. This keeps all of the containers in the same travel pathand assists in preventing one or more of the containers from tippingover.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a pair of trashcontainers 10 that are interconnected with one another in series,similar to a train. One of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate that the containers 10 can be any type of container forstoring and/or transporting a variety of materials. In the disclosedexample, however, the container 10 is a trash container that is wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art and is typically used tostore and transport trash. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate one of thecontainers 10 in side and front view. In the disclosed example, each ofthe containers 10 shown in FIG. 1 are identical with one another.However, as will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art,the containers need not be identical, but instead can be different ingeneral construction and shape and yet be capable of interconnection asshown.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each container 10 generally has abase 11 with a bottom panel 12 and an upstanding contiguous side wall 14extending upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel. The side wall 14is generally shaped as a cylinder. In this example, the side wall 14 hasfour panels 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, and 16 d defining a substantiallyrectangular cylinder, though with rounded corners between each pair ofinterconnected side panels 16. One of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that the side wall 14 can be shaped in any mannerdesired to provide an enclosed volume for storing and/or transportingtrash or other materials. For instance, the side wall 14 can be oval,square, rectangular, cone, octagonal, or pyramidal in shape, or beconfigured having any shape and yet fall within the scope and spirit ofthe disclosure.

[0022] The side wall 14 has a top edge (not shown) that defines a topopening (not shown) providing access to an interior storage space 18. Alid 20 is provided that can positively seat with or latch onto the topedge of the side wall to cover the top opening. The interior storagespace 18 is found within the enclosure defined by the side wall 14,bottom panel 12, and lid 20. One of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that the lid can also be attached to the top edge ofthe side wall 14 with a hinge to facilitate access to the storage space18 without having to remove the lid 20.

[0023] In this example, the container carries a pair of wheels 22 freelyrotatable and supported on axles 24 secured to the container in asuitable fashion. The wheels are adapted to either rest slightly aboveor barely touching a ground surface “G” when the container 10 rests onits bottom panel 12. This is to insure that the container has stabilitywhen standing upright and does not inadvertently roll when leftunattended. The wheels are also adapted to touch the ground surface “G”and to lift or raise all other container components above the groundwhen tilted for transporting, as shown in FIG. 1 and described below.One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thecontainer 10 can also include additional wheels to provide transportingthe container 10 without tilting thereof. For instance, the container 10can include a wheel disposed at each corner of the bottom panel 12 for atotal of four wheels. Accordingly, the container 10 can be maintained inan upright position and moved without having to be tilted. In such acase, however, one or more of the wheels may include a braking devicethat when activated prevents movement of the container 10 when placed onan inclined or uneven surface.

[0024] In this example, the container 10 also has a U-shaped handle 26extending from the side wall 14, in this case, the rear side panel 16 c.The handle 26 can be connected to the container either so that it cannotmove or so that it can rotate or pivot at its ends 28 coupled to theside wall. The handle 26 in either example has a cross bar 30 adapted tobe grasped by a user. The handle 26 is affixed or can be rotated to anorientation with the cross bar 30 extended upward and spaced from thecontainer side wall, as is shown in FIG. 2. In this way, the handle 26can either be easily grasped by a user and used to pull or push thecontainer when being transported, or be used to interconnect with anadjacent container when desired. The pivotable handle 26 in this examplepermits the handle to rotate to the most natural handle/grip positionfor the user, depending on the tilt angle of the container. The handle26 may also be shaped or have a soft grip material to provide bettergripping therof by a user without being uncomfortable to hold.

[0025] In this example and in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, the disclosed container 10 also has an interconnectdevice 40 disposed on a side of the side wall 14 opposite the handle 26.In this example, the device 40 is positioned on the front side panel 16a. The disclosed interconnect device 40 includes a pair of spaced apartmounting fixtures 42 provided on the side wall 14. The device 40 alsoincludes a steel wire hook 44 that can double as a second handle for thecontainer 10.

[0026] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting fixtures, in this example,each have a cut out or hollowed out region 46 in the side wall 14. Eachregion 46 terminates at an end wall 48, wherein the end walls 48 of therespective region 46 are angled relative to each other and to a planeperpendicular to the side wall, and face outward away from one anotherto a predetermined depth. A blind bore 50 is formed in each of the endwalls 48, wherein the blind bores 50 extend toward one another. Themounting fixtures 42 disclosed and described herein are illustrativeonly. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art,other mounting configurations and constructions for an interconnectingdevice can be provided within the scope and spirit of the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

[0027] The disclosed wire hook 44 has a cross bar 52 extending between apair of spaced apart connecting arms 54. Each connecting arm 54terminates at an in-turned segment 56. The in-turned segments 56 in thisexample are oriented generally parallel and co-linear with one anotherand generally perpendicular to their respective connecting arms 54. Theconnecting arms 54 are concavely curved facing upward to define the hookshape of the wire hook 44.

[0028] To assemble the device 40, the connecting arms 54 are physicallyspread apart and the in-turned segments 56 are inserted one each intothe corresponding blind bores 50. The wire hook 44 can thus be installedand removed as desired as an accessory to the container in this example.When installed, the wire hook 44 can be rotated about the in-turnedsegments 56 within the blind bores 50. The cross bar 52 can be utilizedas a second handle for the container.

[0029] The container 10 can be moved by being tipped onto the wheels 22.A user typically pulls the handle 26 toward himself and downward to tipthe container 10 onto the wheels 22. Once the container 10 is tippedonto the wheels 22, the bottom panel 12 does not touch the groundsurface “G”, and the container 10 can be easily transported by thewheels 22. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate thatthe angle of the tilting can vary depending on, for example, the heightof the user, the size and weight of the objects inside the container 10,and/or the condition of the ground surface “G” on which the container istransported. Accordingly, a user can typically adjust the angle of thetilting when transporting the container to provide a balanced load andcomfort.

[0030] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 6, a plurality of the containers 10 can beinterconnected and pulled or pushed in series. To interconnect onecontainer with another, a first container can be tipped onto its wheels22 with the handle 26 facing downward. The cross bar 30 of the handle 26is then rested on the curved connecting arms 54 of the wire hook 44 ofan adjacent container 10. As shown in FIG. 6, a third container 10 canthen be tipped and the handle 26 rested on the exposed wire hook 44 of apreviously interconnected container 10. Additional containers can belikewise interconnected, if desired. The exposed handle 26 of the endmost container (shown as the left side container in FIGS. 1 and 6) canbe grasped by a user. The train of containers 10 can then be pulled orpushed as desired in order to transport the multiple containers 10 atthe same time. Pulling multiple linked containers may be easier thanpushing them, but the invention is not limited to only pulling thecontainer chain. One of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate that for containers that include four wheels and do notrequire tipping onto the wheels for transport, pulling or pushing of achain of containers 10 does not require tipping the containers ontotheir respective wheels.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the wire hook 44 can be utilized to hang oneor more additional trash bags 60, store trash container liners, or thelike when not being used to transport multiple containers 10. The wirehook 44 in this example can also be removed from the container 10 ifdesired. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that avariety of household items and tools can also be suspended from the hook44. For instance, a user can suspend gardening and yard tools from thehook 44 when working in a garden and placing garden refuse or debris inthe container 10. In another example, a broom and a dust pan can besuspended from the hook 44.

[0032] The positioning of the wire hook 44 and the handle 26 on eachcontainer can be varied to achieve different results. To achieve adesired tilt angle of interconnected containers, the height of thehandle 26 and wire hook 44 relative to one another can be varied asdesired. In the disclosed example, the wire hook 44 is positioned at alower elevation than the cross bar 30 of the handle in order to permitthe tipped, interconnected container 10 to reach an over-centercondition. This will keep the handle 26 resting on the wire hook andprevent the tipped container from returning to an upright position whenunattended.

[0033] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, theinterconnecting device 40 can vary considerably from the example shownand described herein. For example, the hook 44 can be formed fromalternative materials, other than the disclosed steel wire, or can bereplaced by an integrally molded hook element 70 as shown in FIG. 8. Thehook element 70 is affixed to the side wall 14 and can be integrallymolded therewith, if desired. Such a hook element 70 would not beremovable or pivotable. Also, the mounting fixtures could be molded asprotrusions instead of as cut out regions as shown herein. Further, thehook element need not have a cross bar 52, but instead can include twoseparate hooks for connecting with the handle 26 and for stability.

[0034] To illustrate another alternative example, FIGS. 9-11 show adifferent configuration of a wire hook 80 that can replace the hook 44described above. In this example, the hook 80 has a pair of in-turnedsegments 82 extending inward toward one another from respective spacedapart legs 84. The legs extend upward from respective connecting arms86. A cross bar 88 extends laterally between the connecting arms 86. Inthis example, the cross bar 88 is upwardly curved to define a “hook”that will retain a handle of an adjacent container rested on theconnecting arms. The cross bar 88 also has a rearwardly extendingportion 90 that extends back in the direction of the legs 84. Theportion 90 will assist in retaining a handle 26 on the hook 80 bycapturing the handle cross bar 30 between the portion 90, the connectingarms 86, the cross bar 88, and the legs 84. The hook 80 would attachedto the container by using the segments 82 in the same manner as thesegments 56 described above.

[0035] Also, the disclosed interconnectable containers can be fabricatedfrom any material as desired without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. Further, completely different devices can be utilizedfor interconnecting two adjacent containers. Hook and loop (VELCRO®)fasteners can be utilized to removably interconnect adjacent containers.For example, a hook or loop strap can be provided on one side of eachcontainer base and a corresponding loop or hook strap can be provided onthe opposite side of the base. Alternatively, hook and loop pads can beaffixed to protruding objects such as handles of each container. As afurther alternative, a strap having a hook and loop portions can beconnected to one side of each container. The strap can wrap around ahandle or an opposite side of an adjacent container and secure itself tomaintain the wrapped arrangement.

[0036] Although certain container configurations and methods have beendisclosed and described herein in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limitedthereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of theteachings of the invention that fairly fall within the scope ofpermissible equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a base having a bottompanel, a contiguous upstanding sidewall, an interior space, and an opentop; one or more wheels on or adjacent the bottom panel near a firstside of the base; a handle disposed on the first side of the base; aconnector disposed on a second side of the base, the second side beingsubstantially opposite to the first side; wherein the connector isadapted to removably connect with a handle of a second container tocouple the second container to the base.
 2. A container according toclaim 1, wherein the bottom panel of the container and the one or morewheels ground the container when in an upright position, and whereinonly the one or more wheels ground the container when the container istilted in the direction of the first side.
 3. A container according toclaim 1, wherein the connector is fixedly attached to the second side.4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is pivotallyattached to the second side.
 5. A container according to claim 1,wherein the connector includes a pair of spaced apart connecting armsand a cross bar connected between the connecting arms.
 6. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises: a mountingfixture including a pair spaced apart bores disposed on the second side;and a hook having a pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross barextending between the connecting arms; wherein inserting free ends ofthe connecting arms in the bores provides pivotal attachment of the hookto the mounting fixture.
 7. A container according to claim 1, whereinthe handle is fixedly attached to the first side.
 8. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the handle is pivotally attached to thefirst side.
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connectoris shaped to retain the handle of the second container when connected.10. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is shaped tosuspend one or more objects therefrom.
 11. A container chain comprising:a plurality of containers, each container including a base having abottom panel, a contiguous upstanding sidewall, one or more wheels on oradjacent the bottom panel near a first side of the base, a handle on thefirst side of the base, and a connector on a second side thereof, thefirst side being substantially opposite to the second side; wherein theconnector of each container of the plurality of containers is adapted toremovably connect with the handle of the other containers of theplurality of containers; and wherein the plurality of containers areinterconnected with one another, handle to connector, in series so thatthe container chain can be moved by manipulating an end one of theplurality of containers.
 12. A container chain according to claim 11,wherein the bottom panel and the one or more wheels of each containerground the container when in an upright position; wherein only the oneor more wheels of each container ground the container when tilted in thedirection of the first side thereof; and wherein tilting an end one ofthe plurality of containers in the direction of the first side thereoftilts the other containers of the plurality of containers toward therespective first sides thereof.
 13. A container chain according to claim11, wherein the connector of each container is fixedly attached to thesecond side thereof.
 14. A container chain according to claim 11,wherein the connector of each container is pivotally attached to thesecond side thereof.
 15. A container chain according to claim 11,wherein the connector of each container includes a pair of spaced apartconnecting arms and a cross bar interconnecting the connecting arms. 16.A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the connector of eachcontainer comprises: a mounting fixture including a pair spaced apartbores disposed on the second side; and a hook having a pair of spacedapart connecting arms and a cross bar extending between the connectingarms; wherein inserting free ends of the connecting arms in the boresprovides pivotal attachment of the hook to the mounting fixture.
 17. Acontainer chain according to claim 11, wherein the handle of eachcontainer is fixedly attached to the first side thereof.
 18. A containerchain according to claim 11, wherein the handle of each container ispivotally attached to the first side thereof.
 19. A container chainaccording to claim 11, wherein the connector of each container is shapedto retain the handle of any one of the other containers of the pluralityof containers when connected.
 20. A method of moving a plurality ofcontainers, the method comprising: providing a handle on a first side ofeach container and a connector on a second side of each container, thesecond side being substantially opposite the first side, each containerincluding a base having a bottom panel, a contiguous upstandingsidewall, an interior space, an open top, and one or more wheels on oradjacent the bottom panel near the first side of the base; removablyconnecting the handle of each container to the connector of an adjacentcontainer of the plurality of containers, wherein the handle of a firstcontainer and the connector of a last container of the plurality ofcontainers are not connected to another container of the plurality ofcontainers; and moving the plurality of containers by moving an end oneof the plurality of containers.
 21. A method of moving a plurality ofcontainers according to claim 20, the step of moving comprising: tiltingthe end one of the plurality of containers in the direction of the firstside thereof, wherein only the one or more wheels of the end onecontainer ground the end one container, the tilting causing each of theplurality of containers to tilt in the direction of their respectivesides; and moving the plurality of containers by moving the end onecontainer of the plurality of containers.
 22. A method of moving aplurality of containers according to claim 20, the step of movingfurther comprising pushing the end one of the plurality of containers.23. A method of moving a plurality of containers according to claim 20,the step of moving further comprising pulling the end one of theplurality of containers.